-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Park Ji-sung headed a second half winner as Manchester United beat bitter rivals Liverpool 2-1 to reclaim top spot in the English Premier League on Sunday .

Spanish international striker Fernando Torres gave Liverpool a shock fifth-minute lead at Old Trafford , but Wayne Rooney quickly equalized from the penalty spot .

The goal came in controversial circumstances with Javier Mascherano 's foul on Antonio Valencia appearing to start outside the area .

Rooney 's initial spotkick was saved by Pepe Reina , but the England striker continued his rich scoring vein by hitting home the rebound in the 12th minute .

In a second half of few openings , South Korean star Park dived to power home the winner on the hour mark from man of the match Darren Fletcher 's superb cross .

Torres , who had started and finished the move to put Liverpool ahead , fluffed a great chance to equalize in the the last minute , but his shot ballooned high and Yossi Benayoun could only head it straight at Edwin van der Sar .

The win takes United two points clear of Arsenal on 69 points after 31 games .

Third-placed Chelsea were later held to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn to be four points adrift , but with a game in hand .

It was another setback for Chelsea , who were knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan in midweek .

Didier Drogba gave Carlo Ancelotti 's men an early lead at Ewood Park as he neatly converted Nicolas Anelka 's cross , but they were unable to press home their advantage .

El-Hadji Diouf equalized for the home side in the 70th minute when he rose above Paulo Ferreira to cleverly direct Michel Salgado 's cross past Petr Cech .

Fletcher claimed their earlier victory over Liverpool , who are battling with Tottenham , Manchester City and Aston Villa for the final Champions League spot , had put the pressure on Chelsea .

`` The team that puts the most consistent run to the end of the season will probably be the champions , '' Fletcher told Sky Sports .

United 's city rivals Manchester City also enjoyed a crucial 2-1 win on Sunday as they beat Fulham at Craven Cotage .

Fulham were feeling the effects of their famous win over Juventus in midweek and fell behind to first half goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez , who starred for the visitors .

Fulham captain Danny Murphy pulled one back from the spot in the 75th minute but they could not force an equalizer .

City move above Liverpool into fifth place , two points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham , but with a game in hand .

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Park Ji-sung heads a second half winner to give Manchester United 2-1 win

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Fernando Torres puts Liverpool ahead with Wayne Rooney leveling from spot

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Victory sees United reclaim top spot in the English Premier League

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NEW : Chelsea held 1-1 at Blackburn and are four points adrift with a game in hand